How do YOU apply your thermal paste?

[coughs]

I was wondering how do you apply your thermal paste?

Some people use the same amount of a grain of rice and then install the heatsink

and others spread it..


How do you apply your thermal paste to prepare your cpu?

 

[RJC]

I tend to go by the manufactures instructions.

 

[setter]

Ive used a dot and a line, (mainly on quads), tbh the temp difference was minimal.

 

[cmndr_andi]

I used to spread it, then I saw this video.

Now I do blob/rice grain and let the heatsink spread it, very little chance of air bubbles if done right.

BTW, my thermal paste of choice is MX3.

 

[Merlin5]

From what I remember of mine, I applied a tiny bit of paste to the bottom of the heatsink then wiped it off, allowing it to just seep into the pores and give it a wafer thin coating. Then I applied a small dot to the cpu and screwed the heatsink down onto it.

 

[coughs]

Does it matter if you put it on your cpu or the back of the cpu cooler?

 

[jbs]

I now do a blob and let the pressure spread it.

 

[cmndr_andi]

Does it matter if you put it on your cpu or the back of the cpu cooler?

Put it on the CPU heatspreader, then you will know exactly where it is being applied.

 

[Makhaira]

Tiny blob, or line, depends on the core configuration of the chip. I never spread by hand due to the risk of air bubbles.

 

[setter]

Some of the direct contact heatpipe coolers can benefit from having the paste applied to the base of the cooler.

 

[MooMoo444]

After watching the video in this thread, will probably go with the blob in the middle method, but be a little more generous so it reaches out further.

 

[chipps101]

i use the spread method and have never had any problems with it.

 

[02goswej]

I use Latex Glove/Cling Film over finger then spread (Use sparingly so it ONLY JUST reaches edges of the CPU)

Watching that video still has not convinced me it's bad at all...Built plenty of computers with this method and no problems so far

/Johnathan

 

[marktime]

Used to spend ridiculous amounts of time trying to perfect a mega-thin even coating but last few builds I've just gone with a tiny blob in the centre. Honestly can't say there's been any difference in temps. Lapping the h/s on my TRU-120 had more effect, evening out the temperatures on the 4 cores of the cpu.

 

[mmj_uk]

Spread method for me too, core protection aside the idea of a heat spreader is that there is a greater area of contact between CPU and heatsink, so any little blob/line whatever in the middle isn't going to be optimal.

To get rid of any air pockets wiggle the heatsink a little before fixing it in place.

 

[Diddyman]

I do exactly what 02goswej does too using a thing polythene sandwich bag.

I have seen that video too, but what it does not show is what happens over time, the paste will change consistency as it get heated up and I expect any air trapped will be disipated.

I have never had any probs temp wise this way !

Diddy

 

[Snakedoctor]

A pea sized amount in the centre of a very clean cpu, after cleaning with a cloth and alcohol based cleaner. Use the compression to spread the paste as this prevents bubbles. I get great temps.

 

[MOOGLEYS]

I use Bubblegum.....

 

[scotty365]

one line about 3/4 the width in the middle - never fails.
you could do a trial run and see what works best for you - you will need to run it in for a while to get a true result

 

[lcg]

I put a blob in the middle of the CPU, and let the pressure of the heatsink spread the thermal paste.